Soon, mobile device users will be able to enjoy their smartphones and tablets from "gate to gate" when traversing the friendly skies.

According to the FAA’s new position on mobile device use in-flight, airplane travelers will see restrictions lifted on most electronic devices throughout their entire flight.

The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed Thursday that a ban on using cell phones for voice communication will not change, however.

The FAA, following months of study by a group of aviation experts, said Thursday that airlines can soon allow passengers to use portable electronic devices such as tablets, laptop computers, e-readers and cell phones in airplane mode throughout the flight — with some circumstantial restrictions.

According to CNN, the FAA expects “many carriers will prove to the FAA that their planes allow passengers to safely use their devices in airplane mode, gate-to-gate, by the end of the year.”

“Each airline will determine how and when this will happen,” FAA administrator Michael Huerta added.

Chances are that the people you talked to have no idea what they are talking about. Anyone that deals directly with the consumer is probably not going to have any clue about company policy changes in the future.

Modern Phones Do not, repeat, Do not interfere with hospital or airplanes navigation. Its left over from when the first cell phones and primitive devices did interfere with each other. As with everything else it takes years to stop unneeded practices.

As a pilot for a major US airline, I can tell you this has been in the works for a while. Last forecast I heard was next spring, but I'll be happy to have these restrictions removed sooner. The flight attendants waste a lot of time reminding passengers to turn off their electronics. They'll have less to chastise you about, and you can continue your compelling game of Angry Birds or Plants vs. Zombies.....

Back in '09 I used an iPod touch after lift off for an entire 4 hour flight. Didn't say anything. Why am I only now hearing of this being "new"?

Yeah got away with it myself once, just proves nothing happens to the plane, once I heard a stupid comment from a Patient family member that the cell phone would turn off the "life support". Really? I wanted to say we use our phones in intensive care everyday and its superstition